Dundalk FC DS Futsal Finish Runners-Up at Cairdeas Cup Festival

Congratulations to our DS Futsal team who finished runners up in Group One in the Cairdeas Cup Festival held at Abbotstown.

Under the watchful eye of coaches Noah, Logan and Orla, the squad began proceedings with a rip roaring 3-3 draw against Wexford FC.

The Slaneysiders opened the scoring early on before team captain Jamie Linden tied the scores. Once again, the Lilywhites went behind before Kevin Trainer made in 2 apiece with a tidy finish.

Wexford took the lead for the third time but with time running out that man Linden struck again for a share of the spoils.

Next up was an encounter with long term rivals Finn Harps. The Donegalmen were the current holders of the trophy while Dundalk had won it on the previous occasion.

Unsurprisingly, there was little between the sides with both goalkeepers excelling and the solitary goal coming from Harps’ Daniel O'Reilly who was excellent throughout.

For game 3, against Cork City, after impressing between the sticks, David O'Hare was moved out the field and rattled in 4 goals in a comprehensive 5-1 victory over the Leesiders- Jamie Linden netted the other after thumping the crossbar earlier in the game.

Bray Wanderers were next to face the Lilywhites and it was another game where the deadly duo of Linden and O'Hare (x2) found the net while Mícheál McCloy picked up a clean sheet in another impressive display in goal.

Group 2 winners in the previous Cairdeas Cup Festival Waterford were the fifth team to play Dundalk FC. The Munstermen struck the first goal of the game before Kevin Trainer's sweet strike tied up the scores and left the Lilywhites on 8 points from their opening 4 games.

Finally, it was Bohemians who rounded off the day. The spoils were shared in May, the last time the two sides met, but things were not as close at Abbotstown with David rattling the net another three times to finish with a personal total of 9 goals for the tournament.

As well as the prolific O'Hare, the Lilywhites saw great defensive displays from Linden, Conor McGuinness, Johnathan Evans, Mícheál McCloy and Conor Halpenny with Aaron Connolly, Declan Donaghy and Kevin Trainer working hard in midfield alongside the youthful energy of Noah O hEalaí and Adam Nulty.

It was great to see such wonderful support from the stands and a special thank you to coaches Noah, Logan and Orla, Aoife and Naomi for their hard work throughout the season. Thanks also to Anord Matrix for their sponsorship of the DS Futsal team.